Domestic estates are true works of art. Only in Russia are they so diverse in form and architecture that it can sometimes be difficult to understand where exactly you are: near Vologda or close to Italian Milan. A striking example is the estate complex in the village of Bykovo in the Moscow region. The castle with high towers, sharp spires, narrow windows, and elegant staircases does not immediately evoke associations with a Russian church. It was built in 1789. Despite the pseudo-Gothic style, Russian elements are noticeable in the architecture of the temple, such as the cross-dome system.

However, the church is not the main dominant feature of this place. Nearby is the estate of diplomat Ivan Vorontsov, an equally impressive structure. The house, reminiscent of a palace of Venetian doges, was built by Swiss architect Bernard Simon. Each facade of the building was designed differently. For example, the eastern part with a tambour balcony overlooked a beautiful park, while the northern side was transformed into an observatory. An enormous coat of arms of the Vorontsov dynasty, adorned with cannons and angels, hung above the entrance to the palace, and below, under the lilies, was the motto: "Loyalty is always unwavering."

Next to the park was another remarkable structure, the Hermitage pavilion. It stood by the pond and served as a "rest house" where nobles spent their evenings. The Hermitage has not survived to this day. There was also a beautiful garden, a cascade of ponds, greenhouses, and even a grotto. Unfortunately, much of this was destroyed, especially in the 1920s when a colony for minors was established here. Later, a tuberculosis sanatorium was located here, and only in 1960 was the estate granted the status of a monument of republican significance. After that, restoration work began.